Letter: Check yourself before you wreck your friends’ good mood
I am constantly bombarded by hyperbole and fake news sent by some of my friends. While I value their friendship, I do not share many of their opinions.
Some of these items are outrageous claims by Fox News commentators. Others are bogus stories originating on Twitter, Facebook or fringe websites. Many of these stories are by partisan propagandists, others by people who enjoy creating or passing on controversial rumors.
One friend forwards me emails from a person who is particularly irksome. He begins by saying: “Be with those who bring out the ‘best’ in you, not the ‘stress’ in you ...”
He then paraphrases quotes from the New Testament books of Mark and Corinthians. Jesus said, “If you are ashamed of me, I will be ashamed of you before my Father,” and, “If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.”
This is followed by a fake news item that, if it were true, is guaranteed to create the stress in you.
Prior to accepting or forwarding things, it is suggested that people should factcheck them.
Bill Petrie, Richland
This story was originally published December 11, 2017 at 3:34 PM with the headline "Letter: Check yourself before you wreck your friends’ good mood."